The dust has settled on a thrilling, fractious Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with Senegal crowned champions after a final that perfectly encapsulated the tournament’s highs and lows. Pape Gueye’s solitary goal sealed a 1-0 win over the hosts, but the match and the competition will be remembered as much for officiating chaos as for footballing quality.
From the group stages to the showpiece in Rabat, refereeing controversies were a constant, unwelcome companion. Dubious penalties, erratic VAR calls, and a general lack of consistency turned what should have been a celebration of African talent into a weekly debate about competency. It’s a bitter pill, because the football itself often soared. The continent deserves officiating that matches the world class skill on display.
Morocco, however, delivered a masterclass in hosting. The infrastructure was impeccable state of the art stadiums and seamless organisation that set a new benchmark for the continent. They proved Africa can host a tournament that stands shoulder to shoulder with any global event.
For Nigeria, the narrative was one of paradoxical progress. Their bronze medal, a record extending ninth in AFCON history, somehow feels more significant than the silver won in 2023. This wasn’t a fluke. The Super Eagles were the tournament’s most thrilling attack, playing with an expansive, aggressive identity that has been absent for years. They lit up the group stages, dominated Egypt in the third place playoff, and only fell to the hosts on penalties in a tense semi final.
The old ghosts, of course, still rattled. The tournament was nearly derailed by the now customary bonus payment crisis, with tensions flaring between stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman before a resolution was found. It’s an exhausting, embarrassing cycle that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must break. You cannot expect world class performances while treating basic contractual obligations as optional.
Yet, emerging from the drama is a genuine cause for optimism: the team, and its coach. Eric Chelle’s one year record is impossible to ignore: 16 games, 10 wins, 5 draws, 1 loss, 34 goals scored. He has instilled a clear philosophy and forged a tangible team spirit. President Bola Tinubu’s congratulatory note that the bronze “feels good like gold” wasn’t just political fluff for once, it reflected a genuine feeling among supporters who saw a team they could believe in again.
This newspaper’s position is clear: the NFF must offer Chelle a long term contract immediately. Nigerian football’s greatest enemy is its own chronic instability, the constant churn of coaches and direction. Chelle has built a foundation. He has the players’ buy in and has delivered results with style. Sacking him at the first future stumble would be managerial malpractice.
The path is now obvious. Secure Chelle’s future. Overhaul the administrative shambles that plague every campaign. Nurture this attacking identity. The talent pool in Nigeria is the envy of the continent; what’s been missing is the stability and vision to harness it.
Morocco 2025 gave us Senegal’s triumph, Morocco’s heartbreak, and, for Nigeria, something perhaps more valuable than a trophy: a blueprint. The potential is undeniable. The question is whether the administrators in Abuja can finally suppress their worst instincts and build on it. For the long suffering Nigerian fan, that is the only result that truly matters now.
